Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Investigators found a “treasure trove” of property belonging to at least seven separate robbery victims when they searched two backpacks being carried by recent Lincoln Park High School graduate Bryce McGill early Friday.

McGill | Chicago Police Dept.

McGill was arrested outside of Wrigley Field after police recognized him as a robbery suspect who had been profiled in an internal police alert.

A custodial search turned up two wallets; three sets of keys; four cell phones; a MacBook; three Ventra cards; a watch; two credit cards; and—oddly enough—an electrical ballast.

Prosecutors Saturday charged McGill with five felony counts of robbery, one felony count of robbery while indicating the presence of a firearm, and one count each of reckless conduct, resisting police, and theft of lost or mislaid property.

Police have linked recovered property with four robbery cases that McGill is now charged with:

A fifth robbery victim, mugged in the 800 block of West Fullerton at 1:56 a.m. on July 6, identified McGill in a photo lineup, according to court records.

Investigators have also determined that property recovered from McGill’s backpacks were taken in a robbery at 5:24 a.m. on July 2 in the 800 block of West Webster and another, unspecified incident that happened shortly before he was arrested, a source said. Charges in these two cases and others may be sought later.

McGill’s lawyer told Cook County Judge Peggy Chiampas on Saturday that the 18-year-old had received a “full ride” to the University of North Carolina—only to have the school deny any knowledge of the LPHS basketball star.

Chiampas set bail at $150,000, and McGill is now free after someone posted 10% of that on his behalf. He (and his attorney) are due back in court on Friday. Chiampas instructed McGill's family to produce proof of his scholarship at that time.

All of the known cases connected to McGill involved two offenders. Police have yet to announce the second arrest.